• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.528-534
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• 1997

The conformation and stabilization effects of acridine derivatives 9-aminoacridine, an acridine with an aminoalkyl side chain, bis acridine (two acridines linked by an aminoalkyl side chain), and proflavin in the triplex helical poly(dA)·[poly(dT)]2 were investigated by optical spectroscopies. Based on the negative LD and weak positive CD in the acridine absorption wavelength region, we concluded that the acridine moiety of all derivatives are intercalated. We also examined the melting temperatures. Of all the compounds examined, the acridine with an amino alkyl side chain had the strongest effect on the stabilization of the third strand of a poly (dA)·[poly(dT)]2 triplex. The role of the side chain, based on this observation, is discussed.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.286-291
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• 2014

Inoculation of mice with the murine NFSA cell line caused the formation of large tumors with necrotic tumor cores. FACS analysis revealed accumulations of $CD11b^+$ cells in the tumors. Microarray analysis indicated that the NFSA cells expressed a high level of the pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-18 (il-18), which is known to play a critical role in macrophages. However, little is known about the physiological function of IL-18-stimulated macrophages. Here, we provide direct evidence that IL-18 enhances the phagocytosis of RAW264 cells and peritoneal macrophages, accompanied by the increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (tnf-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (il-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (Nos2). IL-18-stimulated RAW264 cells showed an enhanced cytotoxicity to endothelial F-2 cells via direct cell-to-cell interaction and the secretion of soluble mediators. Taken together, our results demonstrate that tumor-derived IL-18 plays an important role in the phagocytosis of macrophages and that IL-18-stimulated macrophages may damage tumor endothelial cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2010

The osteogenic potential of hydroxyapatite/poly $\varepsilon$-caprolactone composite (HA/PCL) scaffolds with matrigel was evaluated in a rat calvarial defect model. Calvarial defect formation was surgically created in Sprague Dawley rats (n = 18). HA/PCL scaffold was grafted with matrigel (M-HA/PCL group, n = 6) or without matrigel (HA/PCL group, n = 6). A critical defect group (CD group, n = 6) did not received a graft. Four weeks after surgery, bone formation was evaluated with radiography, micro computed tomography (micro CT) scanning, and histologically. No bone tissue formation was radiographically evident in the CD group. Bone tissue was radiographically evident in the HA/PCL and M-HA/PCL groups, however, there was more bone-similar opacity in the M-HA/PCL group. Micro CT analysis revealed that the bone volume of the M-HA/PCL group was higher than the HA/PCL group, however, no significant difference was found between the HA/PCL and M-HA/PCL groups. Bone mineral density in the M-HA/ PCL group was significantly higher than in the HA/PCL group (p < 0.05). Histologically, new bone was formed only from existing bone in the CD group, showing concavity without bone formation in the defect. In the HA/PCL group, new bone formation was only derived from existing bone, while in the M-HA/PCL group the largest bone formation was observed, with new bone tissue forming at the periphery of existing bone and around the HA/PCL scaffold with matrigel. The results indicate that the combination of HA/PCL scaffold with matrigel may be an effective means of enhancing bone formation in critical-sized bone defects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 2017

Carbon monoxide (CO), a reaction product of cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), is a gaseous messenger with anti-proliferative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory actions in many cell types. Here, we investigated the role of CO on the process of monocyte differentiation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in human monocytic THP-1 cells. CORM-2 (tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer, $Ru2Cl_4(CO)_6$), a CO-releasing compound, decreased a marked cell adherence with a slight reduction of proliferation in monocytic THP-1 cells treated with PMA. And, CORM-2 significantly inhibited expression of differentiation markers such as CD14, CD11b plus CD18 (macrophage-1 antigen, Mac-1 or complement receptor 3, CR3) and phagocytosis of carboxylate-modified red fluorescent latex beads, in PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. For the further experiments, differentiation of PMA-treated cells was enhanced after the initial 2 days stimulus by removing the PMA-containing media then incubating the cells in fresh media for a another 4 days. And, we observed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis in differentiated macrophages. Treatment with CORM-2 significantly abolished the secretion of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and phagocytosis using fluorescence-conjugated E. coli (K-12 strain) bioparticles in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated differentiated macrophages. In conclusion, these results suggest that CO inhibits the differentiation of monocytic THP-1 cells as well as the activation of differentiated macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.259-268
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• 2005

Most of the tailings have been left without any management in their mines and have become the main source of serious environmental problems in nearby groundwater, stream and cultivated lands. To compare fractionation and potential mobility of heavy metals in tailings and paddy soils near abandoned 10-metalliferous mines in Korea, the distribution and chemical fractions of heavy metal and their mobility in relation to chemical compositions were investigated. The pollution index of heavy metal in mine tailing calculated with the permissible levels were in the order Cheongyang>Dogok>Beutdeun>Baegwoul mine, which were considered sufficient to raise environmental problems. The rates of 0.1M-HCl extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni to total content in paddy soils were 49.1, 50.7, 26.8, 18.4 and 2.9%, respectively, and their rates of heavy metals in paddy soils were higher than that of mine tailing. Dominant chemical forms of heavy metals in tailings were sulfide and residual form (63-91%), specially, the exchangeable portion of Cd (21%) was relatively higher than that of other metals in paddy soils. The mobility factor of heavy metals in tailings and paddy soils was in the order Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb, and the mobility factor in tailing varied considerably among the mines. The potential mobility of heavy metals in tailings showed significant positive correlation with water-soluble $Al^{3+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ contents, while in paddy soils, it correlated negatively with soil pH values.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.233-235
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• 2003

Heavy metal contents in commercial horticultural growing media were investigated Fifty-three samples were collected nationwide during 2000 to 2001 and heavy metals in the samples were analyzed by ICP-OES after acid digestion and 0.1N HCl extraction. Average contents of total Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn by acid digestion in the growing media were 0.69, 35.7, 14.9, 15.5, 12.7, and 54.8 mg/kg DW, respectively. The ranges of heavy metal in the growing media were $0{\sim}1.82$, $0{\sim}259.8$, $1.6{\sim}69.5$, $0{\sim}60.7$, $0{\sim}36.5$, $12.9{\sim}124.0\;mg/kg$ DW for Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. Heavy metal contents in the commercial horticultural growing media were showed lower levels than the permitted levels for quality control described by Korean Standard Analytical Method for Growing Media. Average contents and ranges of 0.1 N HCl extractable heavy metals were 0.08 and $0{\sim}0.20$ for Cd, 0.38 and $0{\sim}2.10$ for Cr, 1.45 and $0{\sim}4.03$ for Cu, 0.85 and $0{\sim}3.31$ for Ni, 0.84 and $0{\sim}2.21$ for Pb, and 30.68 and $0.18{\sim}88.45\;mg/kg$ DW for Zn, respectively. These concentrations by 0.1 N HCl extraction showed much less levels than those of total heavy metals by acid digestion.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.123-131
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• 2007

Many environmental contaminants including several metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals, have been identified to be phototoxic in the water environment. Concerns regarding photo-enhancement of toxicity of several environmental contaminants have been increasing because of the increased level of ultraviolet irradiation on the earth surface. However, there exist arguments that there might be certain defense mechanisms taking place in the aquatic ecosystem, which may include behavioral characteristics or genetic acclimation. This study was conducted to understand the potential responses of aquatic receptors to several phototoxic metals in the real environment, where long-term acclimation of such organisms to low dose UV-B may take place. For this purpose, water flea Daphnia magna was acclimated to environmentally relevant dose of UV-B (12 to $18uW/cm^2$) for >11 generations. The differences in developmental and life history characteristics, and toxicity responses were evaluated. Acclimation did not affect the daphnids' growth, longevity, and reproduction characteristics such as time to first brood, and brood size: After 21 d, survival of D. magna was not influenced by UV-B acclimation. When the number of young per female was compared. the daphnids acclimated for 11 generations tend to produce less number of neonates than the un-acclimated individuals but with no statistical significance (p>0.05). Four metals that were reported to be phototoxic elsewhere were employed in this evaluation, that include As, Cd. Cu, and Ni. UV-B level being applied in acclimation did increase the toxicity of Cd and Cu, significantly (p<0.05). However, the toxicities of As and Ni were not affected by irradiation of UV-B. Phototoxic responses were evaluated between the acclimated and the un-acclimated daphnids. For Cu, UV-B acclimation led to reduction of the photo-induced toxicity $(p\approx0.1)$ in daphnids. Non-acclimated Daphnia were affected by 50% at 4.18 ug/l Cu. but UV-B acclimated individuals exhibited $EC_{50}$ of 5.89 ug/l. With Cd, UV-B acclimation appeared to increase phototoxicity (p>0.05). With As and Ni, UV-B acclimation did not influence photo-induced toxicity. This observation may be in part explained by the type of reactive oxygen species that were generated by each metal. Similar to UV-B light, Cu is known to generate superoxide anion by acting as redox cycling toxicant. This is one of the first studies that employed_laboratory based UV-B acclimated test species for photoenhanced toxicity evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 1994

To get a fundamental data fur management of security, validity, Quality, of Paeonia suffruficosa roots as medicinal herb, the content of paeonol, ash, and inorganic components in Moutan Radicis Cortex produced in 8 regions of Korea was investigated from Oct. 1990 to May 1991. The results are summarized as follows: The average content of paeonol was 0.65%. The content of ash was 3.53%, acid-insoluble ash 0.77% in average, both of them were suitable to the standard value as Korean medical herbs. Total nitrogen content was 1.03%, phosphate 0.55%, potassium 0.82%, and calcium 1.50% in average. The content of MgO was 0.21ppm, 325.83ppm in Fe, 1.82ppm in Cr, 3.73ppm in Cu, 18.93ppm in Zn and Mn 21.27ppm, respectively. Especially Hg was not detected in the products of all regions. The average content of Cd was 0.25ppm, Pb 3.09ppm in Moutan Radicis Cortex, so they were estimated suitably to use as medicinal herb.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.111-116
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• 1999

Distribution of heavy metal (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd) concentrations within forest soils was investigated in Mts. Surak and Bulam around the outskirt area, and Mts. Bukak and Inwang around the downtown area of Seoul. Metal concentrations in these soils were higher in the A horizons than in the B horizons. The mean concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd in the A horizons were 4.39 mg/kg, 9.09 mg/kg, 1.67 mg/kg, and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations in the B horizons were 2.18 mg/kg in Zn, 5.74 mg/kg in Pb, 0.55 mg/kg in Cu, and 0.01 mg/kg in Cd, respectively. With positive correlation among the metal concentrations, Zn, Pb, and Cu concentrations in the A horizon were positively correlated with soil organic matter contents (r=0.39~0.83, p<0.01), while Pb and Cu concentrations were negatively correlated with soil pH (r=-0.53~0.59, p<0.01). The results suggest that the metals in forest soils have accumulated more in the downtown than in the outskirt areas.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.554-565
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of raw Cassia tora L. powder added-diets on reducing cadmium accumulation in rats. The experimental animals were Sprague-Dawley family(♂, 4 weeks) which was classified into normal group CN, compared group CS, Cd-added group Cl and groups C2, C3, C4 in which 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of the Cassia tora L. powder are added, respectively. The growth rate and food efficiency ratio, and the amounts of accumulated cadmium in rats for S weeks were measured and analyzed. The results are as follows; 1. The rates of weight gain decreased in the order of C3>C2>C4>Cn>Cs>Cl groups, and Cl group to which only cadmium water had been fed was the lowest among them. The correlation between groups Cl and C3 was significantly different at the 1% level. 2. Food efficiency ratio(FER) decreased in the order of C3>C2>Cs>Cn>C4>Cl, and the FERs of C3, C2, CS, CN and C4 are greater than that of Cl by 22.87, 19.59, 18.54, 14.20 and 13.17%, respectively. 3. As for the Cassia tora L. powder-added groups, the amounts of cadmium accumulated in organs and tissues, that is, the brain, heart, spleen, liver, lungs, testicles. kidney, femoral muscle and leg bones were 0.45 $\pm$ 0.04 to 0.83$\pm$0.04, 1.68$\pm$0.02 to 2.16$\pm$0.02, 3.26$\pm$0.05 to 4.62$\pm$0.27, 37.52$\pm$0.09 to 47.71$\pm$0.73, 1.07$\pm$0.10 to 1.66$\pm$0.04, 1.04$\pm$0.06 to 1.24$\pm$0.08, 36.79$\pm$0.20 to 39.61 $\pm$0.53, 0.87$\pm$0.02 to 1.00$\pm$0.02 and 0.65$\pm$0.17 to 1.27 $\pm$ 0.06 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, respectively. 4. The accumulated Cd content for C4 was the lowest among Cassia tora L. powder-added groups. When the results for C4 are compared with those for Cl, it is observed that each cadmium content accumulated in the brain, heart spleen, liver, lungs, testicles, kidney. femoral muscle and leg bones is dropped by 49.03, 22.56, 36.02, 35.75, 41.75, 36.20, 37.00, 22.77 and 56.67 %, respectively. On the other hand. the accumulated Cd content increased in the order of brain